[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system":3,"chapter-the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-83":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Exiled Duke's Lottery system",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1366791,1809,"Chapter 83 - 77: Iron and Resolve","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-83",83,"\u003Cp>The first signs appeared quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A delayed caravan here. Missing alloy shipments there. Southern merchants suddenly demanding higher prices for identical contracts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing dramatic enough to seem hostile openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But together—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pattern became obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re slowing trade intentionally.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas placed another document onto the strategy table with visible irritation while the rest of the administrative council quietly reviewed the growing stack of reports.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the fortress chamber, tension slowly filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien however remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost too calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric noticed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You expected this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien looked up from the production sheets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Which somehow makes this more annoying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fair enough honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen crossed his arms near the map table while studying the updated trade routes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Southern inspections increased nearly forty percent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Specialized alloy imports delayed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Two caravans turned back entirely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Peak Knight frowned slightly afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re testing us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien nodded once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not military pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Economic pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>House Valcriox likely hoped slowing industrial expansion would force Elarion back into dependence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They underestimated how industrial systems adapted under pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien stood afterward before walking toward the large territorial map mounted across the chamber wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Northern regions marked in red ink covered nearly half the board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mining zones. Factory districts. Road expansions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything connected together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And right now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raw materials remained the greatest bottleneck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas rubbed his forehead slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If southern imports continue decreasing, rifle production slows within two months.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then increase local supply.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer came immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas stared at him blankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...From where exactly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien’s finger moved farther north across the map.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toward the Frostpeak region.(The name of mountain ranges around elarion\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room quieted instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Cedric stopped joking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because everyone knew those mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harsh terrain. Monster activity. Brutal winters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And beneath all of it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rich ore deposits mostly abandoned decades earlier due to extraction difficulty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malen narrowed his eyes slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You want to reopen Frostpeak mining?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That region is dangerous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So was Elarion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody argued with that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien continued studying the northern map calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Southern nobles think they can pressure production because we still rely on their refined metals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His finger tapped lightly against the mountain region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we remove the reliance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That statement settled heavily across the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because this wasn’t merely responding to pressure anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was acceleration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more the south tried restricting Elarion—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faster Lucien pushed toward self-sufficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric slowly leaned back in his chair afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know, normal people would probably complain first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Complaining does not produce steel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Again. That. That’s the unsettling part.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas ignored both of them entirely while reviewing mining estimates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Frostpeak mines reopen, infrastructure costs will be enormous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Road expansion alone could take months.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then start immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The council members exchanged looks quietly afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And slowly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not fear anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because everyone here already understood something important:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The south had made a mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pressure only gave Lucien another problem to solve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Lucien enjoyed solving problems far too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Frostpeak expedition departed north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than two hundred workers moved alongside engineers, guards, dwarven surveyors, and supply wagons as snowstorms rolled across the mountain roads ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric stared toward the frozen mountain range with visible disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I truly hate this plan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One dwarf snorted loudly beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You hate weather softer than spring rain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This weather stabbed me yesterday.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was ice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien ignored the conversation entirely while reviewing geological survey notes near the lead wagon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to abandoned kingdom records, Frostpeak contained:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>iron deposits,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>coal veins,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and traces of rare strengthening minerals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Difficult extraction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Excellent quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ironbreaker(name of dwarf Good at exploring iron deposits) marched beside Lucien excitedly while holding several old mining documents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The mountains here rich.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They were abandoned.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Humans weak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric immediately looked offended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know we can hear you, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dwarf shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normal dwarven diplomacy honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The expedition continued upward through narrow mountain roads while heavy snowfall reduced visibility steadily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet despite the conditions—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morale remained strangely high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Workers joked around campfires. Engineers argued about furnace designs. Soldiers competed over rifle accuracy during rest stops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody looked discouraged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone surprised Lucien slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Months ago most northern workers merely survived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They believed in the future Elarion was building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That difference mattered more than technology sometimes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the fifth day, the expedition finally reached the abandoned Frostpeak mining settlement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What remained of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Collapsed wooden structures stood buried beneath snow while broken mining towers leaned against the mountainside like ancient skeletons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric stared around the frozen ruins quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Charming place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A worker nearby looked confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You think so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien stepped through the abandoned site slowly while studying the surrounding terrain carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountains here were rich.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could feel it already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And potential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And unlike the south—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody here could blockade mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gandalf suddenly knelt near an exposed rock formation before smashing it open with a hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dwarf examined the fractured ore briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then grinned widely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rich vein.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several dwarves nearby immediately became excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One shouted something incomprehensible in dwarven language.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another nearly sprinted toward the survey equipment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien allowed himself a small smile afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas approached carefully through the snow while holding updated supply calculations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If extraction succeeds...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It will.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...then southern alloy dependence drops significantly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien looked toward the mountain valley quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But eventually—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And once that happened—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The south would lose one of its few remaining ways to pressure Elarion economically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow continued falling across Frostpeak while workers slowly began clearing ruins and establishing new camp foundations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far south in the capital, nobles believed they were tightening control over the north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile in the frozen mountains—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elarion simply adapted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again.\u003C\u002Fp>",950,"2026-06-05T21:32:57.730Z",1,"novelbin.me","e5dd18cecdede74ca2ec5ef428733918853084c0deabc0681cee5d7199f12ce9","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-84","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-82",144,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-cover.jpg"]